Tokyo: My Hundred Demon Scroll

Although the Onmyoji are now in a weaker position, they were indeed very powerful in ancient Japan.

"No, it's much more than that!"

Reiko asked, "Gu Yun, do you know what the earliest exorcism legend in Japan is?"

"Um…"

Exorcism, in other words, is the act of exorcising demons, removing spirits, defeating monsters, or fighting monsters to protect the human world.

Clearly, the history that Reiko is referring to includes mythology as well.

"It should be the story of Susanoo slaying Yamata no Orochi."

This is the origin of Japan's use of force to subdue demons and monsters that Gu Yun could think of.

"Actually, there's something even further back in time."

Reiko said, "Izanami, the mother of all Japanese gods, died from burns after giving birth to Kagutsuchi, the god of fire."

"The father god Izanagi went to the underworld to bring his wife back, but found that she had turned into a hideous figure covered with maggots and with her throat constricted by phlegm."

Out of fear, Izanagi desperately fled towards the human world.

Overwhelmed with shame and indignation, Izanami dispatched the Ugly Woman of the Underworld and 1,500 soldiers of the Underworld to pursue her husband and take him to the afterlife.

"In the end, Izanagi used the Thousand Hiki Stone to block the boundary between the underworld and the human world, 'Hirasaka,' and thus escaped with his life."

After that, Izanagi cleansed himself of the filth in the river.

The deity he transformed into while washing his left eye was named Amaterasu Ōmikami.

The deity that appeared when he washed his right eye was named Tsukuyomi.

The god who transformed while washing his nose was named Takehachi Susanoo-no-Mikoto.

“I’ve heard this myth before,” Gu Yun asked, “but what does it have to do with the Higado-fan clan?”

"The Thousand-Point Stone is also known as the Stone of Reversal of the Way, which means 'The Way stops here, and demons should return quickly.'"

According to Reiko Natsume, it wasn't Izanagi who blocked the gate between the underworld and the human world.

“Thousands of years ago, when the Japanese Father God was in danger, an incredibly powerful ascetic stepped forward,” Reiko said. “He repelled the underworld army and demons sent by Izanami, protected Izanagi, and also protected the human world.”

"..."

Gu Yun commented, "This ancestor of the Dao Fan clan is quite formidable!"

"Legend has it that Izanagi, in gratitude to the 'ancestor of the Way,' bestowed upon him the position of guardian of the land of reeds, granting him the power to expel eight million gods and order them to quickly return to their original land."

The so-called Land of Reeds is generally believed to be present-day Japan, and also the human realm in mythology.

In other words, the ancestors of the Dohan clan were appointed by Izanagi as guardians of the human world, making them arguably the oldest and most powerful exorcist family.

"The Dao Fan clan has taken it upon themselves to protect humanity for generations and has never participated in worldly struggles."

Unless the world is destroyed, or gods and spirits overstep their bounds and wreak havoc on the human world, the Dao Fan clan will not appear.

"This is the rule that has been in place since ancient times."

Grandpa then spoke up, saying, "The Dao Fan Clan will never intervene in the struggles of the Lower Five Realms, no matter what."

The five lower realms here generally refer to the turbid world where evil gods reside, as well as the material present world, the underworld, the next life of reincarnation, and the world of strange tales and illusions below it.

"So what are they up to?"

Goshiro Kotaki said, "The Dohan clan has never had anything to do with exorcists."

In Japan, demons and monsters are actually also considered part of the "Eight Million Gods".

Therefore, the Higa clan's 'power of reversal' is equally effective against them.

The Dao Fan clan is arrogant by nature; they neither eliminate evil spirits nor subdue demons.

Even when faced with a curse, they always remain indifferent.

The Higado anti-Hikari clan targets only fallen gods and evil gods who are unacceptable to the world.

"At the invitation of the Ten Famous Sects, the Dao Fan Clan has come out of seclusion."

"Well."

At this point, Tsubagi Shiro paused for a moment: "But although it's called a clan, there aren't actually that many people."

"You've probably heard that the descendants of Dao Fan have long lifespans, but because of their duties as guardians in the human world, their fertility is getting worse and worse, to the point that they are almost all single-lineage heirs."

Although the Dao Fan clan is powerful, its population is very small.

Only one person in each generation can inherit the blessing from Izanagi.

"Higa Kotoko".

Shiro Tsubagi said, "I heard that the name of the current head of the Michihan clan is that of a girl who was twelve or thirteen years old."

"So what does this have to do with the exorcist convention being canceled?"

"Because she made a request to the ten sects."

Shiro Tsubagi said, "If you want the Dohan clan to come out of seclusion, then let all the renowned families, forces and leaders among mediums, psychics, onmyoji, priests, shrine maidens, monks, exorcists, priests, and exorcists in Japan go to welcome them!"

"I…"

This left not only the crowd bewildered, but even Gu Yun was stunned: "What... what are they trying to do?"

How arrogant!

Who does she think she is?

"Would anyone agree to something like this?"

Gu Yun has researched this and found that there is no absolutely official organization like the Exorcism Association in Japan.

In other words, exorcists do not register their identities anywhere; they do things according to their own preferences.

Putting aside whether Higa Kotoko's request can reach the ears of all exorcists.

Even if she succeeds, will the exorcists come to see her as she wishes?

Yes, to have an audience.

In Gu Yun's view, Higa Kotoko's behavior was like that of a queen, commanding all the heroes of the world and making everyone come to worship.

"It seems Gu Yunni has also discovered it."

Shiro Tsubagi crossed his arms and said, "The Higa clan has lived in seclusion for many years and doesn't know much about exorcism circles."

"Then she..."

“So Kotoko Higa made a decision,” Shiro Tsubaki: “She will visit promising and established exorcism families one by one over the next few years, and then challenge them.”

Whether they are well-known, live in seclusion in the mountains, or live like ordinary people.

If you possess psychic abilities, she will find you and challenge you to a battle.

"Forehead…"

Gu Yun seemed to understand: "If you lose, you have to follow her?"

"This is not."

According to Shiro Ki, Kotoko Higa seems to want to establish a real exorcism association, unify the entire Japanese exorcism community, and become the number one exorcist in Japan.

You've lost. All you need to do is acknowledge her status and recognize the Exorcism Association as an authoritative organization.

"Japan is number one..."

Gu Yun had absolutely no interest in this title.

However, if Higa Kotoko really came to challenge him, Gu Yun was indeed having a headache: "This feels so troublesome..."

Will she come to challenge us too?

The Four Heavenly Kings of Wild Fox Zen must be very famous in the industry, right?

Granny Sanchui once said that they were legendary figures passed down by word of mouth among exorcists.

Goshiro Kotaki: "Um, I'm already dead."

Reiko Natsume: "Dead +1".

Therefore, the pressure fell on Grandpa and Shiro Tsubagi.

"Well," Grandpa said in a serious tone, "I will try my best to die within two years, so please don't worry."

“Ohhhh~~”

"As expected of Master Iijima."

"Master Kaku-yi!"

Kotaki Goshiro and Reiko clapped their hands in admiration of their grandfather's determination.

"..."

Tsubagi Shiro had an embarrassed look on his face, as if he had eaten shit: Did you do this on purpose, or was it an accident?

Among the Four Heavenly Kings of Wild Fox Zen, he has the longest lifespan and can live for another seventeen or eighteen years.

Tsuba: What happened to the Four Heavenly Kings? Such a big group, and they just disbanded like that?

traitor!

You three traitors!!

"Eh~~~"

Gu Yun said with some disappointment, "I was really looking forward to the battle between Grandpa and Higa Kotoko."

"Kotoko Higa will definitely come to challenge the Iijima family."

Grandpa's words were clearly a joke: "If she comes looking for me in the last two years, I will naturally accept the challenge. But if it's been more than two years, then I'll be willing but unable to do it."

After all, the person is dead.

It's impossible for Higa Kotoko to chase him all the way to the underworld and fight him.

Their goal is to invite powerful exorcists to join the association, something the dead cannot do.

"Maybe you'll be the one to fight her, Gu Yun."